Thursday, June 16, 2016

Grand Ole Opry 6/17 & 6/18

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the shows this weekend. Both nights look pretty good, with the edge going to Friday night. As far as Opry members this weekend, Lorrie Morgan is the name that stands out and she will be on both Friday and Saturday night, hosting segments. She will be joined both nights by fellow Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Bill Anderson and Riders In The Sky. Friday night, both Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds are scheduled, which is an odd occurrence as the Opry seems to schedule these bluegrass legends on opposite nights. Joining that pair will be Hall of Fame member Connie Smith. As far as Saturday night, the only additional member is Jeannie Seely. As far as guest artists this weekend, Holly Williams is set for both nights, joined by Love and Theft, Mark Wills and Lee Greenwood on Friday, while Jimmy Wayne, Jackie Lee, the great guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and Post Monroe will be there with her on Saturday night. The new name on that list is Post Monroe, who will be making their Opry debut. Post Monroe is a female trio consisting of Ashlee Hewitt, Whitney Duncan and Shelby McLeod. They are touring in support of their new EP and are listed on Rolling Stone's list of "New Country Artists You Need to Know." Friday June 177:00: Connie Smith (host); Love and Theft; Mike Snider7:30: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Holly WilliamsIntermission8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Mark Wills8:45: Lorrie Morgan (host); Riders In The Sky; Lee GreenwoodSaturday June 187:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy Wayne; Mike Snider7:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Riders In The Sky; Post MonroeIntermission8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Jackie Lee; Opry Square Dancers8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Tommy Emmanuel; Holly WilliamsThat comes out to 12 acts on Friday night, 8 of whom are Opry members, and 11 acts for Saturday night, with 6 Opry members. And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of June 17 & 18, 2011:Friday June 177:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Little General Cloggers; Mike Snider7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Black LilliesIntermission8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Connie Smith; The Whites8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Kellie PicklerSaturday June 187:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Sarah Darling7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jean Shepard; Charlie Nagatani; T. Graham BrownIntermission8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Robin Meade; Opry Square Dancers8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jim Ed Brown; Point Of GraceNow from ten years ago, the weekend of June 16 & 17, 2006:Friday June 168:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Little General Cloggers; 3 Fox Drive8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Elizabeth Cook; John & Jonathan McEuen9:00: Jean Shepard (host); Pinmonkey; Mandy Barnett9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Stu Phillips; B.J. ThomasSaturday June 171st show6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; Dale Watson7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Randy Houser; Jan Howard; Pinmonkey7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Melinda Schneider; Claire Lynch8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Mandy Barnett; Opry Square Dancers8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Gail Davies; John Anderson2nd show9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Pinmonkey10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Randy Houser; John Anderson10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Melinda Schneider; Claire Lynch; Opry Square Dancers11:00: Jean Shepard (host); Gail Davies; Mandy Barnett11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Ray Pillow; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Dale WatsonFinally, from fifteen years ago, the weekend of June 15 & 16, 2001:Friday June 157:30: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Bill Carlisle; BR5-49; Pam Tillis8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Eric Heatherly; George Hamilton IV; Mark McGuinn; Jack Greene8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Osborne Brothers; Jamie O'Neal9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Sara Evans; Charley Pride9:30: Vince Gill (host); Mike Snider; Brad Paisley; Trisha YearwoodSaturday June 161st show6:30: Steve Wariner (host); Connie Smith; Bill Carlisle; Osborne Brothers; Jim Lauderdale7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Jim Ed Brown7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Chris Cagle; Mark McGuinn; Alan Jackson8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Billy Walker; Pam Tillis; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Del Reeves; Hal Ketchum; Charley Pride2nd show9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Hal Ketchum; Chris Cagle; Connie Smith10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Charlie Louvin; Jimmy C Newman; Charley Pride10:30: Steve Wariner (host); Hank Locklin; Elizabeth Cook; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Pam Tillis11:30: Charlie Walker (host); Del Reeves; Mark McGuinnIt was on Saturday June 17, 1967 that Stu Phillips became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Stu grew up in Calgary, Alberta. He grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry on a small crystal radio set and as he listened to the Opry, he fell in love with country music. At an early age, he formed a band that performed at local events. He also worked at a local radio station were not only was he a radio announcer, but also producer and engineer. He was the host of several shows in Canada including "Stu for Breakfast," "Town and Country," and "Cowtown Jamboree." From radio, he moved to television, first as host of "The Outrider," then as host of "Red River Jamboree" which was a major Saturday night show on the CBC network. In addition to his television success, Stu began to enjoy recording success with his "Echos of the Canadian Foothills" album. After four more years with the CBC, he set his sites on Nashville, moving to the city in 1965. He started working for a local morning TV show and also signed with RCA Records. With Chet Atkins producing, Stu began hitting the country charts with songs such as "Bracero," "The Great El Tigre," "Vin Rose," and "Juanita Jones." After making over 20 guest appearances, Stu was offered Opry membership. He has toured in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where he enjoyed great success. In 1993, Bear Family Records released a CD featuring 35 songs from his early Canadian albums. That same year he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. In 1998, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, Stu and his wife Aldona, became American citizens. In addition to being an Opry member, Stu is also an ordained minister and has owned a winery. While I always thought Stu was a fine ballad singer, his career never produced the big chart hits in America. And on his 49th anniversary as an Opry member, Stu is now retired and rarely appears on the show. Here is the running order of the 2nd show from Saturday June 17, 1967, the night that Stu Phillips became a member of the Grand Ole Opry: 9:30: Kellogg'sCharlie Louvin (host): See the Big Man CryWillis Brothers: Somebody Knows My DogBob Luman: Why Don't You Leave Me AloneFruit Jar Drinkers: Katy HillCharlie Louvin: How Great Thou ArtBobby Lord: Life Can Have MeaningCharlie Louvin: Off & On10:00: SchickBilly Grammer (host): Wabash CannonballDel Wood: Under the Double EagleStringbean: The Big 'Um Got AwayBilly Grammer: Detroit City10:15: PureJustin Tubb (host): You Nearly Lose Your MindOsborne Brothers: Roll, Muddy RiverCousin Jody: On Top Of Old SmokeyJustin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday10:30: Buckley'sThe Browns (host): Where Does the Good Times GoStu Phillips: (?)The Browns: All of Me Belongs to You/The Fugitive10:45: NewportRoy Acuff (host): Wabash CannonballWilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: The Birds Are Back to SingCrook Brothers: Black Mountain RagRoy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird11:00: Coca-ColaBob Luman (host): Let's Think About LivingMarion Worth: You Good Girl's Gonna Go BadFruit Jar Drinkers: Fire on the MountainDuke of Paducah: Four Leaf CloverBob Luman: MemphisSam McGee: Amos Johnson RagMarion Worth: He Thinks I Still CareBob Luman: You Can Take the Boy From the Country11:30: LavaMarty Robbins (host): No Tears MiladyErnie Ashworth: At Ease, HeartWilma Burgess: There Goes My EverythingDon Winters: Chime BellsMarty Robbins: Tonight CarmenErnie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling LipsMarty Robbins: Don't Worry/Begging to You/Bouquet of Roses/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You/You Know How Talk Gets Around/Lovesick Blues/El PasoCongratulations again to Stu Phillips on 49 years of Opry membership. It would have been nice if the Opry had scheduled Stu this weekend so he could have been recognized for his achievement.I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!

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About Me

I am a nationally recognized independent historian of the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to being the publisher and writer of Fayfare's Opry Blog, I have also researched Opry information for numerous authors and interested Opry fans. A resident of Canton, Ohio, I have attended hundreds of Grand Ole Opry shows since my first visit to Nashville in 1973. I can be contacted via email at bfay54@gmail.com